Pollution control apparatus for smoke emitter

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for controlling the pollution in a smoke emitter. The apparatus is connected to the emitter by ducts which route the smoke past a smoke detector and through a water spray eventually emerging beneath water in a water-holding basin. A filter and pump arrangement circulate the water in the basin to water nozzles mounted to one of the ducts. The water spray emitted by the nozzles is directed through a duct to the basin. The water flow to the nozzles is controlled by a solenoid valve operably connected to the smoke detector. A sediment removal pipe-pump arrangement is provided in the basin. Pressure within the basin is released via a vent mounted atop the basin and opening into the atmosphere. Baffles are provided in the ducts for directing the water spray and smoke flow. An emergency escape duct is mounted atop the emitter.

iinited States Patent 1 1 1111 3,785,126

Smitherman Jan. 15, 1974 [54] POLLUTION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR 2,654,082 9/1953 Cahusac et a1 169/2 R T R 3,234,123 2/1966 Hinde 210/532 SMOKE EMIT E 3,494,099 2/1970 Eng et a1 55/228 [76] Inventor: John B. Smitherman, Rural Route,

BOX 297, Danville, 1nd. 46122 primary Examiner-Tim Miles 22 Fl (1: N 5 1970 Assistant Examiner-Steven 1-1. Markowitz 1 C 0v Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton [21] Appl. No.: 87,160

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl 55/228, 55/256, 261/3, An apparatus for controlling the pollution in a smoke 16, 261/12 0/534 emitter. The apparatus is connected to the emitter by [51] Int. Cl B01d 47/00 ducts which route the smoke past a smoke detector [58] Field of Search 55/228, 255, 256; and through a water spray eventually emerging be- 137/ 07, 3 1; 2 169/2 neath water in a water-holding basin. A filter and 261/27, 64, 3, 5, 7. 16, 121, DIG- 9 pump arrangement circulate the water in the basin to water nozzles mounted to one of the ducts. The water [56] References Cited spray emitted by the nozzles is directed through a duct UNITED STATES AT N to the basin. The water flow to the nozzles is con- 3,107,494 10/1963 King 210/532 trolled by a solenoid Operably conPected to the 382 820 5/1888 Mal'Sha11.... 137 301 Smoke detector- A sedlmem removal P P -P p 575:370 1/1897 Parks r 261/DlG, 9 rangement is provided in the basin. Pressure within 943,422 12/1909 KnOepfe1.... 261/D1G. 9 the basin is released via a vent mounted atop the basin 1,798,122 3/1931 Martin 261/D1G. 9 and opening into the atmosphere. Baffles are provided ,7 7/1934 Gilbert 1 3 261/916 9 in the ducts for directing the water spray and smoke 2,068,099 1/1937 Engle r 210/532 fl A emergency escape d i mounted atop h 2,348,938 5/1944 Stahl et a1..... 210/532 emitter 2,432,887 12/1947 Haviland 210/532 2,616,441 11/1952 Roberts 137/107 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures 36 34 3/ 24 111- 1 ,2 7 26 gfiig PATENTEUJAN 15 I974 3.785.126

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INVENTOR. JOHN B. SMITHEF'MHN 4] 3 f BY 42 wmwmfiulmz; Q ATTORNEYS POLLUTION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR SMOKE EMITTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of smoke pollution control systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art The pollutants in smoke emitted from utility and factory chimneys and the like are undesirable. Several devices have been conceived for spraying water into the smoke thereby removing some of the pollutants. Some of these devices are shown in the following U. S. Patents: 517,297 issued to Reiss; 1,617,534 issued to Matheus; 1,620,826 issued to Mitchell; 2,643,105 issued to Lipowitz; and 2,720,386 issued to Bungas.

The present apparatus is an improvement over the prior art in that it is relatively simple and easily adaptable to present smoke emiters. In addition, the present apparatus does not require various fans and blowers since the smoke is routed through the ductwork by the pressure of the emitter and by pressure exerted by the water spray. Many of the prior devices utilize various floats and valves which add to the expense and maintenance of the system. The present apparatus does not use floats or similar members. An additional improvement over the prior art is the inclusion in the apparatus of a smoke detector which operates the water spray only when the spray is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This apparatus is a pollution control unit for a smoke emitter. A first duct is sealingly connected to the emitter. A second duct is sealingly connected to the first duct and empties into a third duct opening beneath water in a water-holding basin. Water is circulated from the basin to water spray nozzles mounted atop the third duct by a filter-pump arrangement. A solenoid valve controls the flow of water to the water spray nozzles and is operable by a smoke detector mounted within the second pipe. The basin is vented to the atmosphere providing for a pressure release and has a pipepump arrangement for sediment removal from the bottom of the basin. The bottom of the basin is V-shaped and supports the sediment removal pipe.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pollution control unit which is easily adapted and installed to existing smoke emitters.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pollution control unit which does not require various fans, blowers and floats to operate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the above described pollution control unit which also has water spray nozzles controlled by a smoke detector.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagram of a complete system incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a line and looking in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a fragment of the top portion of a smoke emitter 10. This emitter may be a conventional chimney or may also be the exit duct of a furnace. The smoke emitted by chimney 10 is routed in the direction of arrows 16 by ducts 11, 14 and 15 emptying beneath water in a basin 25 conveniently positioned beneath ground level 23. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is designed to provide an economical and efficient means to eliminate and extinguish the sparks and matter in the smoke emitted by chimney 10. The gaseous matter within the smoke is condensed by a water-fog and spray combination in conjunction with the water contained in the basin 25. Duct 11 is sealingly connected to emergency escape duct 12. A flat butterfly valve 13 mounted to the side walls of duct 12 by pin 47 is pivotable in the direction of arrows 48 by manual or automatic means. Duct 11 is mounted atop chimney 10 and is hollow receiving the smoke and routing it to duct 14. In the event of an exploSion or a sudden great increase in pressure, flat valve 13 will open allowing for release of the pressure through duct 12 to the atmosphere. In normal operation, valve 13 is sealingly mounted within duct 12 thereby forcing the smoke through duct 14. A third duct 15 is sealingly mounted to duct 14 and receives the smoke. A mounting means 24 bolted to the ground receives duct 15 which opens into basin 25.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of basin 25 viewed in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1. The basin has side walls 43 and 44 integrally connected to bottom walls 41 and 42. A cover 34 (FIG. 1) is mounted at the ground level and seals a hole opening into basin 25. Thus, cover 34 may be removed allowing entry into basin 25 for various maintenance purposes. A filter 28 extending down into the water is mounted by bracket 29 to side wall 44. Filter 28 is connected to pump 31 by appropriate piping. Filter 28 allows water to be withdrawn from basin 25 through the piping and prevents the pollutants and other matter from entering the piping and eventually clogging pump 31. A variety of pumps may be used to fulfill the requirements of pump 31; however, pump Model No. BFO3S produced by the Goulds Pump Corporation of Seneca Falls, New York, has been found to be particularly advantageous. Pipe 32 is connected to the outlet of pump 31 and routes the water to a third water pipe 21 mounted to the side of duct 15. A plurality of spray nozzles 20 are mounted to I the top wall 19 of duct 15 and communicate with water thereby forcing the smoke down in the direction of arrow 16 to basin 25. The lower end of duct being emersed beneath water level 26 forces the smoke to pass through the water in basin 25. Eventually, the gases, excluding the particulate matter, will pass from the water and escape basin 25 by vent stack 35 which communicates with basin 25. Mounting means 36 secures vent 35 immediately over and adjacent basin 25. Of course, the top wall of the basin is provided with an aperture allowing thesmoke to pass from the basin through the vent 35.

A valve 46 is mounted to pipe 32 for controlling the flow of water from pump 31 to nozzles 20. A variety of valves may be utilized for valve 46; however, excellent results have been obtained by utilizing solenoid valve Model No. JJSOO produced by the Atkomatic Solenoid Valves Company, l4l South Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana. Valve 46 is operated by a smoke detector 45 mounted within duct 14. Detector 45 is commerically available and is produced by the Pyrotonics, lnc., l0 Empire Street, Newark, New Jersey, under Model PYRA-A-LARM Model CDA-l/AST. Thus, nozzles will emit a spray of water only when detector 45 determines that smoke is passing through duct 14. In the event that smoke is not passing through duct 14 then detector 45 will provide the necessary electrical signal via wiring to close valve 46 thereby preventing the flow of water to the nozzle. Sheet metal baffle 18 mounted to duct 14 projects into duct 15 and a similar baffle 17 projects into duct 14 to prevent the water spray from entering duct 14. A small drain hole 33 is provided in pipe 32 to allow for the drainage of water from pipe 21 and 32 when valve 46 is in the closed position. Hole 33 is sufficiently small so as to not interfere with the flow of water to the nozzle when valve 46 is in the open positron.

To permit the periodical removal of settled particulate matter in basin 25, a perforated pipe 37 is installed and located in the lower portion of the basin resting against bottom walls 41 and 42. Pipe 37 is connected to pipe 38 which exits at basin and is connected to a suction pump 39. Holes 40 are provided for the particulate matter to enter being drawn out of the pipe by suction pump 39. A suitable model for pump 39 is Model No. 204EC produced by Marlow Pumps of Midland Park, New Jersey. When the smoke contains large quantities of particulate matter, an auger system (not shown) is installed in lieu of pipes 37 and 38. The auger system is composed of a horizontal section of an auger joined by a flexible coupling to a vertical auger section. The auger sections are rotated thereby conveying the particulate matter out of basin 25.

Many variations of the described apparatus are contemplated and included by the present invention. For example, it is possible to install basin 25 above ground level or to substitute a large body of water such as a lake for basin 25. In addition, it is possible to operate the described apparatus manually without the necessity of smoke detector 45 being installed in the apparatus. Thus, valve 46 would be operated manually.

It will be obvious from the above description that the present invention provides the pollution control unit which is easily adaptable and installed to existing smoke emitters. It will be further obvious from the above description that this pollution control unit does not require various fans, blowers or floats to operate. In addition, it will be obvious that the present invention provides a pollution control unit which has water spray nozzles controlled by a smoke detector.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, as other modifications may readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art.

The invention claimed is:

1. The combination of:

an emitter of smoke;

a basin containing water;

duct means sealingly connected to said emitter and receiving said smoke, said duct means having a bottom end opening into and beneath said water;

a nozzle mounted in said duct means operable to discharge a water fog into said duct means;

a water pump communicating with said water in said basin and said nozzle;

smoke detecting means mounted within said duct means and being connected between said pump and said nozzle and being operable to allow water flow from said pump to said nozzle only when smoke is present in said duct means;

sediment removal means positioned at the bottom of said basin;

a filter mounted in said basin;

water pipes connecting said filter to said pump and said pump to said nozzle;

a solenoid valve connected to one of said water pipes being operably connected to said detecting means which includes a smoke detector; and,

a vent communicating with said basin;

said duct means has a first duct, 2. second duct, and a third duct, said first duct is sealingly connected to said emitter, said second duct is sealingly connected to said first duct, and said third duct is seal ingly connected to said second duct;

said smoke detector is mounted within said second duct;

said nozzle is mounted to the top end of said third duct;

said sediment removal means comprising a suction pump and a perforated pipe connected together; and,

said basin includes a V-shaped bottom wall supportingly receiving said perforated pipe of said sediment removal means, said suction pump is located externally of said basin above ground level;

spray nozzles identical to said first spray nozzle mounted in said third duct;

said basin has a vent stack and is positioned beneath ground;

one of said pipes connecting said pump to said nozzles has a drain hole therein; and,

siad nozzles are mounted atop said third duct;

said first duct has a bottom end sealingly connected to said emitter and an open top end with a flat butterfly valve pivotally mounted in said first duct intermediate said bottom end and said top end of said first duct and above the connection of said first duct and said second duct, said butterfly valve has a normal closed position directing smoke flow from said first duct into said second duct and an open position to allow escape of said smoke from said combination through said top end of said first duct;

said basin has a manhole normally closed by a cover, said emitter of smoke has an upward draft pressure;

. 3,785 ,126 6 said water fog discharged into said duct means has a includes another baffle both of which prevent downward draft pressure equal to said upward water from exiting said third duct into said second draft pressure; duct. said third duct includes a baffle and said second duct 

1. The combination of: an emitter of smoke; a basin containing water; duct means sealingly connected to said emitter and receiving said smoke, said duct means having a bottom end opening into and beneath said water; a nozzle mounted in said duct means operable to discharge a water fog into said duct means; a water pump communicating with said water in said basin and said nozzle; smoke detecting means mounted within said duct means and being connected between said pump and said nozzle and being operable to allow water flow from said pump to said nozzle only when smoke is present in said duct means; sediment removal means positioned at the bottom of said basin; a filter mounted in said basin; water pipes connecting said filter to said pump and said pump to said nozzle; a solenoid valve connected to one of said water pipes being operably connected to said detecting means which includes a smoke detector; and, a vent communicating with said basin; said duct means has a first duct, a second duct, and a third duct, said first duct is sealingly connected to said emitter, said second duct is sealingly connected to said first duct, and said third duct is sealingly connected to said second duct; said smoke detector is mounted within said second duct; said nozzle is mounted to the top end of said third duct; said sediment removal means comprising a suction pump and a perforated pipe connected together; and, said basin includes a V-shaped bottom wall supportingly receiving said perforated pipe of said sediment removal means, said suction pump is located externally of said basin above ground level; spray nozzles identical to said first spray nozzle mounted in said third duct; said basin has a vent stack and is positioned beneath ground; one of said pipes connecting said pump to said nozzles has a drain hole therein; and, siad nozzles are mounted atop said third duct; said first duct has a bottom end sealingly connected to said emitter and an open top end with a flat butterfly valve pivotally mounted in said first duct intermediate said bottom end and said top end of said first duct and above the connection of said first duct and said second duct, said butterfly valve has a normal closed position directing smoke flow from said first duct into said second duct and an open position to allow escape of said smoke from said combination through said top end of said first duct; said basin has a manhole normally closed by a cover, said emitter of smoke has an upward draft pressure; said water fog discharged into said duct means has a downward draft pressure equal to said upward draft pressure; said third duct includes a baffle and said second duct includes another baffle both of which prevent water from exiting said third duct into said second duct. 